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Home , Antonio Lotti, Armonico Consort, Thomas Tallis

NAKED BYRD TWO 9 O Virtus Sapientiae Hildegard of Bingen [2.16] Kirsteen Rogers, soprano

0 Versa Est (Requiem) Tomás Luis de Victoria [4.56] 1 Salve Regina Hermann Contractus [3.23] Anna Sandström, soprano q Strengthen ye the weak hands* David Buckley [2.18] Rachel Robinson, soprano 2 The Spirit of Tallis* , arr. Christopher Monks [3.07] Peter Morton, tenor Anna Sandström, soprano Kelly McCusker, w Agnus Dei from 4 part mass [4.05]

3 Agnus Dei (from Adagio for Strings) Samuel Barber [7.36] e The Lamb John Tavener [4.01]

4 Funeral Ikos John Tavener [8.07] * World Première recordings

5 Hear my Prayer, O Lord [2.37] Total timings: [52.40]

6 Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans Hildegard of Bingen [2.50] Anna Sandström, soprano

7 Never Seek to Tell Thy Love* Jonathan Roberts [3.50] CHRISTOPHER MONKS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 8 Crucifixus Antonio Lotti [3.29]

www.signumrecords.com NAKED BYRD TWO over the centuries by the church but is most of his String Quartet, Op. 11 in 1936, Barber Commonwealth and Protectorate. Much of the commonly found at the end of Compline, the next scored the work for full string a music that he wrote was linked into the reigning Following on from their first volume of works last service of the day and of the sequence of little while later. This second version of the work monarch and royal family, and it is thought that were, in Christopher Monks’s words ‘united hours, as well as at the various feasts of Mary. went on to become perhaps one of the best that Hear my Prayer, O Lord is the first part of by the tendency of their to wear their known pieces of American . The a longer work that was intended for the state hearts on their sleeves’, the Armonico Consort A contemporary take on a now infamous theme text that Barber chose to set, and which is funeral of King Charles II. Following rumours of here present a second compilation of music by the Tudor recusant Thomas Tallis conveniently appropriate for the music, is that the king’s death-bed conversion to Catholicism stimulated by overpowering feelings and potent (c. 1505-1585) follows. The original theme, a of the Agnus Dei, part of the ordinary of the the state funeral never took place and the piece sentiments that have the power to move and hymn by Tallis, the text of which employs the Mass, which seeks forgiveness from sin through was never to be completed by Purcell. What inspire the listener. In covering a vast expanse first two verses of Psalm Two, was first seen the ‘Lamb of God’. remains, however, is an astonishingly powerful of time, the power of music as a tool for intense included in Archbishop Parker’s Psalter of 1567. setting of the first verse of Psalm 102 in which expression is shown to have reached far into The theme was brought to particular prominence In the first of two works in this programme by a considerable climax grows from the germ of history with some of the music on this recording by who not only included John Tavener (b. 1944), Funeral Ikos, the influence just a single voice. composed as early as the eleventh century. it in the twentieth-century English Hymnal, of of the Orthodox Church on his music, and a which he was one of the editors, but used it as seemingly profound religious belief, become Of the multifarious activities of Hildegard of And it is in the eleventh century that the the basis for his own Fantasia on a Theme particularly evident in setting this text primarily Bingen (1098-1179) – which included life as a programme begins, with the haunting Marian by Thomas Tallis, composed in 1910 and first used for the funerals of priests. Written in 1981, Benedictine abbess, founding two monasteries, Salve Regina. The exact provenance of performed in Gloucester Cathedral the same the simplicity of the music is conspicuous and as well as being a poet and a writer on a wide this hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of year. In The Spirit of Tallis, Christopher Monks potent with much of the work in unison and with range of subjects – composition of music to be the most enduring plainsong settings, is not uses the original text found in the 1567 Psalter, much repetition of the material through different sung during the liturgy was a vital feature for known for certain, although contemporary ‘Why fum’th in fight the Gentiles spite, in fury combinations of voice parts. Each ‘Alleluia’ section which she is mostly remembered. Her music, opinion most frequently attributes it to Hermann raging stout?’, while the poignant Phrygian provides a ray of optimism looking in anticipation of which there are two works on this recording Contractus (1013-1054), a renowned scholar, melody of Tallis’s hymn is complemented with an as to what the next world may bring. (Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans and O Virtus mathematician, writer and Benedictine monk, improvisatory and expressive violin line. Sapientiae), largely stretched the boundaries known to have written a number of hymns later As a composer working in the Restoration, it of the of the time, often going beyond in his life. Of those hymns that are attributed It took some thirty years for Samuel Barber is difficult to overestimate the contribution the common range that had become usual. It to him other than Salve Regina, perhaps the (1910-1981) eventually to score his Adagio that Henry Purcell (1659-1695) made to the is of a lyrical nature, more often than not being best known is Alma Redemptoris Mater. The for Strings for eight-part following its revivification of music, both inside and outside particularly appropriate for the nature of each hymn itself has been used in numerous ways composition. Originally written as a movement of the church, following the period of the text. She combined all of her music into a

- 4 - - 5 - collection entitled Symphonia armoniae celestium at the Basilica of St Mark’s. He is mostly known The British-born composer David Buckley The Agnus Dei presented here is from the Mass revelationum, the exact date of which is not for this short Crucifixus scored for eight voices, (b. 1976) is perhaps best known as a composer for four voices, which is thought to have been known. Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans is a dedicatory which originally formed part of a setting of the of film scores, writing for major film the first of these three settings of the Mass hymn to the Holy Spirit, while O Virtus Sapientiae Credo, the Nicene Creed used in Christian liturgy, productions and releases. Trained at the that Byrd penned. is a hymn to the Holy Wisdom and the Trinity of which Lotti composed between 1717 and 1719. University of , Buckley has also written Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Both of these works successfully for television, his output being Closing the recording is perhaps one of the most are performed here with a typical organum drone. Tomás Luis de Victoria (c. 1548-1611) is largely influenced by a remarkably diverse range of significant and well-known shorter pieces of choral regarded as the pre-eminent Spanish composer musical styles. In Strengthen ye the weak hands, music composed in Britain in the latter half of Following on from Hope finds a way, included in of the period. While his output was a setting of a text from Isaiah Chapter 35, he the twentieth century. Composed in 1982, The the first volume of Naked Byrd, Jonathan Roberts’s written entirely for the church, Victoria was not demonstrates his compositional versatility Lamb, with a text by William Blake, was written (b. 1983) Never Seek to Tell Thy Love, brings the most prolific composer of his generation, with in a piece that is full of hope in the coming of for the third birthday of John Tavener’s nephew, the programme into the present day. For many of his contemporaries writing a great deal the Saviour. Simon, and has become one of his most renowned some years now Roberts has taken part in the more music. Born and raised in Avila, Victoria works. The simplicity of the music mirrors that educational arm of the Armonico Consort, assisting studied in Rome (and possibly with Palestrina, Similarly to Tallis, William Byrd (c. 1540-1623) was of the text and Tavener himself has written that in their regular workshops. His own music has although there is no conclusive proof of this), a recusant composer, forced to keep his Roman ‘It was composed from seven notes in an been nurtured through the Consort, and Never returning to Spain after a period of work and his Catholic faith a secret. In post-Reformation afternoon. Blake’s child-like vision perhaps Seek to Tell Thy Love is the second of his ordination to the priesthood. Victoria’s music when the Catholic liturgy was explains The Lamb’s great popularity in a world compositions that they have recorded. Scored shows him to be a master of , and in banned, services that followed the that is starved of this precious and sacred for full choir, the text is by William Blake and particular influenced by the Italian style took place in secret, and a number of composers dimension in almost every aspect of life.’ was first published in 1863. exemplified by Palestrina.Versa Est is a six-part wrote music that would have been performed taken from Victoria’s setting of the during such events. Byrd’s three Latin settings © 2010 Adam Binks Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) wrote a small number Requiem Mass (originally entitled Officium of the Mass for three, four and five voices fall of settings of the Crucifixus text, of which the Defunctorum), originally published by Victoria clearly into this category, and Byrd was quite version found here (Crucufixus a 8) is probably in 1605. The text of Versa Est, from the book brave in allowing his name to be credited on the most frequently performed. Resident in of Job, refers to the organ and echoing their first publication around 1592 (the for most of his career, Lotti was a voices of weeping, with a plea for mercy as publisher wasn’t quite as brave, preferring to successful composer of as well as writing death approaches. remain anonymous). As a composer who was in a great deal of sacred music – his last position particular favour with Queen , Byrd’s being that of the celebrated maestro di capella Catholic activities were frequently overlooked.

- 6 - - 7 - TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS 2 Why Fum’th in Fight O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, There shall none of these things aid us, Grant us thy peace. but only to say oft the psalm: 1 Salve Regina Why fum’th in fight the gentiles spite, Alleluia. in fury raging stout? 4 Funeral Ikos Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ, Why tak’th in hand the people fond, Why these bitter words of the dying ... vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra salve. vain things to bring about? Why these bitter words of the dying, Ad te clamamus exsules filii Evae, The kings arise, the lords devise, O brethren, which they utter as they go hence? If thou hast shown mercy unto man, Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in counsels met thereto, I am parted from my brethren. O man, that same mercy shall be shown thee there; in hac lacrymarum valle. against the Lord with false accord, All my friends do I abandon, and go hence. and if on an orphan thou hast shown compassion, Eja, ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos against his Christ they go. But whither I go, that understand I not, neither the same shall there deliver thee from want. misericordes oculos ad nos converte; what shall become of me yonder; If in this life the naked thou hast clothed, Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, : 1–2 only God, who hath summoned me knoweth. the same shall give thee shelter there, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. from Archbishop ’s Psalter, 1567. But make commemoration of me with the song: and sing the psalm: O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. Alleluia. Alleluia. 3 Agnus Dei Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, But whither now go the souls? Youth and the beauty of the body fade our life, our sweetness and our hope. Agnus Deim qui tollis peccata mundi, How dwell they now together there? at the hour of death, To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; miserere nobis. This mystery have I desired to learn, and the tongue then burneth fiercely, to thee do we send up our sighs, but none can impart aright. and the parched throat is inflamed. mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Agnus Deim qui tollis peccata mundi, Do they call to mind their own people, as we do them? The beauty of the eyes is quenched then, Turn then, most gracious advocate, miserere nobis. Or have they forgotten all those who mourn them the comeliness of the face all altered, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and make the song: the shapeliness of the neck destroyed; and after this our exile, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Alleluia. and the other parts have become numb, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. dona nobis pacem. nor often say: O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. We go forth on the path eternal and as condemned, Alleluia. O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, with downcast faces, Have mercy upon us. Attributed to Hermann Contractus present ourselves before the only God eternal. With ecstasy are we inflamed Where then is comeliness? Where then is wealth? if we but hear that there is light eternal yonder; O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, Where then is the glory of this world? that there is Paradise, Have mercy upon us.

- 8 - - 9 - wherein every soul of Righteous Ones rejoiceth. 7 Never Seek to Tell Thy Love 9 O Virtus Sapientiae 0 Versa Est Let us all, also, enter into Christ, that all we may cry aloud thus unto God: Never seek to tell thy love, O virtus Sapientiae, Versa est in luctum cithara mea, Alleluia. Love that never told can be; quae circuiens circuisti et organum meum in vocem flentium. For the gentle wind does move, comprehendendo omnia Parce mihi, Domine, nihil enim sunt dies mei. 5 Hear my Prayer, O Lord Silently, invisibly. in una via, quae habet vitam, tres alas habens: My harp is tuned for mourning, Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come I told my love, I told my love, quarum una in altum volat, and my organ to the voice of those that weep. unto thee. I told her all my heart; et altera de terra sudat, Spare me, O Lord, for my days are nothing. Trembling, cold, in ghastly fears, et tertia undique volat. Psalm 102: 1 Ah! she did depart. Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet, q Strengthen ye the weak hands O Sapientia. 6 Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans Soon after she was gone from me, Strengthen ye the weak hands, A traveller came by, O strength of Wisdom and confirm the feeble knees. Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vita, Silently, invisibly; who, circling, circled, Say to them that are fearful: movens omnia, et radix est in omni creatura, He took her with a sigh. enclosing all ‘Behold your God will come with vengeance, ac omnia de immunditia abluit, tergens crimina, in one lifegiving path, even God with a recompense, ac ungit vulnera, William Blake (1757–1827) three wings you have: he will come and save you.’ et sic est fulgens ac laudabilis vita, one soars to the heights, suscitans et resuscitans omnia. 8 Crucifixus one distils its essence upon the earth, Interveniat pro nobis and the third is everywhere. quaesumus Domine, Holy Spirit, bestowing life unto life, Crucifixus etiam pro nobis Praise to you, as is fitting, sanctus Lucas Evangelista. moving in All, You are the root of all creatures, sub Pontio Pilato: O Wisdom. washing away all impurity, scouring guilt, passus et sepultus est. May he intercede for us, and anointing wounds. Hildergarde of Bingen we beseech thee, Lord, Thus you are luminous and praiseworthy, Life, He was crucified even for us holy Luke Evangelist. awakening, and re-awakening all that is. under Pontius Pilate: he suffered and was buried. Hildergarde of Bingen

- 10 - - 11 - w Agnus Dei BIOGRAPHIES As before e The Lamb ARMONICO CONSORT ‘Superb!’ - The Times

Little Lamb, who made thee? Soprano Alto ‘A Beautiful Sound’ - BBC Radio 3 Dost thou know who made thee? Anna Sandström Henry Capper-Allen Gave thee life, and bid thee feed, Elizabeth Edwards Olivia Maffett Under the dynamic leadership of founder and By the stream and o’er the mead; Rachel Robinson Artistic Director, Christopher Monks, Armonico Gave thee clothing of delight, Kirsteen Rogers Consort has become the fastest-growing arts Softest clothing, woolly, bright; Claire Monks* organisation of its type in the country. Since Gave thee such a tender voice, Rebecca Sampson* its debut performance with in Making all the vales rejoice? 2001, Armonico Consort has gained a reputation Little Lamb, who made thee? Tenor Bass for presenting innovative programmes in an Dost thou know who made thee? Peter Morton Reuben Thomas accessible and entertaining manner. Dost thou know who made thee? Peter Wilman Francis Brett James Hall* James Brash* ‘I’ve seldom seen children as enchanted with The Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee, Magic Flute as they were here’ - The Independent Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee. * Performing on tracks 3 & 4 only. He is called by thy name, Armonico Consort is, at its heart, a highly talented For He calls Himself a Lamb. vocal ensemble staging a wide range of He is meek, and He is mild; programmes in atmospheric settings. From He became a little child. massive 16th century polyphony including Spem I a child, and thou a lamb, in Alium, to sonorous romantic music such as We are called by His name. Rachmaninov’s Vespers, and from the Bach Little Lamb, God bless thee! Passions to Venetian Vespers with the English Little Lamb, God bless thee! and Ensemble, Armonico Consort brings each work to life, providing the audience William Blake

- 12 - - 13 - with a fresh musical experience. These performances Programme, these musicians are offered real are often accompanied by their own orchestra, opportunities and training, intended to equip which features the finest period instrumentalists them for the challenging musical journey they in the world. The choir also regularly works with have chosen. other , including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philharmonia and The European Armonico Consort has recorded seven CDs, Union Chamber Orchestra. Armonico Consort including Dixit Dominus, a world premiere recording performs regularly at the majority of major of the music of Francesco Scarlatti with Dame festivals in the UK, at venues across the world Emma Kirkby, which was acclaimed as one of the and regularly perform with some of the world’s top five choral releases of 2004 by Gramophone greatest artists including , Magazine, and Purcell’s The Fairy Queen which Natalie Clein, James Bowman, Jennifer Pike, was awarded four stars by The Times. Dame Evelyn Glennie, Crispian Steele-Perkins and Dame Emma Kirkby. Armonico Consort, registered charity number 1103159. Find out more at www.armonico.org.uk Armonico Consort Education has reached more than 50,000 children in the past seven years, allowing them to experience first-hand the joy of performing live music. Its workshops, complete with especially composed music by Armonico Consort member, and Hollywood composer David Buckley (credits include Shrek III), have inspired hundreds of young singers and have received acclaim from pupils, teachers, music authorities and the media. © Great Britain Online

Armonico Consort’s charitable activities extend to its support of young professional singers starting out in their careers. In the Young Artists

- 14 - - 15 - CHRISTOPHER MONKS finest musicians. He has conducted a range of Through his work with Armonico Consort, future high-profile orchestras, including the Royal will take place in Bridgewater Hall, Town As founder and Artistic Director of Armonico Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philharmonia and Hall , Cadogan Hall, and at venues Consort, Christopher is a dynamic and innovative the European Union Chamber Orchestra, in across the world including Israel, Barbados, USA, conductor and keyboard player. Equally at home addition to Armonico Consort’s own orchestra. Italy and Ireland. Christopher was with early, classical and modern music, he is the at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and driving force behind Armonico Consort’s success, studied with David Hill whilst an developing the group from its initial inception as organist at Winchester Cathedral. As a keyboard a choir and orchestra specialising in skilled and player with the CBSO, including a performance moving interpretations of Renaissance and of the Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony, he and even modern music, to its latest has worked with numerous internationally manifestation as an company giving renowned conductors. ground-breaking performances with a superb cast of professional singers, dancers, actors and musicians. Along the way, Christopher has established an education programme now reaching out to tens of thousands of young children across the country, and is closely involved in the establishment of AC Academy, Armonico Consort’s very own 100 strong children’s choir.

‘Christopher Monks is an accomplished director; his choir is absolutely stacked with talent’ - Birmingham Post

Christopher has performed world premieres with internationally renowned musicians such as Evelyn Glennie and the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble and regularly performs with some of the country’s © Great Britain Online

- 16 - - 17 - The recording of this CD has been made possible by a gift from Mr John Cook, in memory of his wife Sarah

“Pos si torno all’eterna Fontana”

Recorded at Moreton Morrell Real Tennis Court on 11 & 12 February 2010 Producers - Christopher Monks & John Taylor Engineer & Editor - John Taylor

Cover Image - Frank Cadogan Cowper, R.A. ‘Vanity’, 1907, Oil on panel 57.1 x 38.1 cm. Photo credit: ©Royal Academy of Arts,

Design and Artwork - Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk

p 2011 Armonico Consort. © 2011 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd.

Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will render the infringer liable to an action by law. Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from Phonographic Performance Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd.

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- 18 - - 19 - ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Naked Byrd Armonico Consort, Christopher Monks SIGCD180

Armonico Consort’s first disc with their ‘Naked Byrd’ programme.

“An achingly beautiful selection” Classic FM Magazine

“ … Monks steers the Consort through the vast caverns of [Bruckner’s] sound-world with consummate skill and unerring taste. The sound recording, made at the Saxon Sanctuary, Wootton Wawen, is excellent … All in all, this is a very attractive package indeed. “ International Record Review

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000